Media: French police slash migrant dinghies at sea in major policy shift Video

French police have, for the first time, used knives to puncture migrant dinghies while at sea, in what officials describe as a precursor to a broader shift in maritime enforcement.

The intervention, carried out by a specialist French police unit, marks a significant change in approach to preventing small-boat crossings in the English Channel, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Times.

Officers from the Compagnie de Marche, a unit trained to deal with public disorder, waded into shallow waters near the French coast and used blades to deflate a rigid inflatable boat as migrants attempted to board. French authorities previously restricted such actions to the shoreline.

The new tactic comes ahead of an expected change in French maritime law that would grant officers greater powers to act in coastal waters. President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau are due to discuss the policy at next week’s UK-France summit in London, the first state visit by a French president in 17 years.

The British government has welcomed the move, with a spokesperson calling it a “significant moment” that could disrupt the operations of people-smuggling networks. “We welcome action from French law enforcement to take action in shallow waters, and what you have seen in recent weeks is a toughening of their approach,” the spokesperson said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also praised the shift in French tactics: “That is a different strategy, and it is welcome that [French police are] taking action in the shallow waters. We want broader action… I want to see this happen as urgently as possible,” she said.

The intervention comes as Labour ministers explore measures to crack down on illegal working among small-boat migrants.

Following reports that some new arrivals have secured jobs with companies such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat within days of landing in the UK, ministers are considering suspending taxpayer-funded accommodation for those found to be working illegally. This could result in migrants being removed from asylum hotels.

Since Labour entered government a year ago, 43,842 people have crossed the Channel in 777 small boats. So far this year, over 20,000 migrants have arrived – a 47% increase compared with the same period last year.

Cooper has outlined a five-point strategy to tackle the crisis, which includes dismantling criminal smuggling networks, strengthening border security through increased cooperation with countries such as France, expediting asylum decisions, removing failed asylum seekers, and curbing illegal work.

The French operation has not been without controversy. Despite the use of knives to prevent some crossings, The Times published images appearing to show French rescue vessels escorting migrant boats into British waters. One French salvage ship, the Abeille Normandie, was seen assisting a dinghy off the coast of Gravelines.

With growing domestic pressure and international coordination under review, both governments are under scrutiny to demonstrate results.

At the upcoming summit, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to finalise a “one-in, one-out” migrant return agreement with France, though resistance from five Mediterranean EU member states has complicated the talks.

Nonetheless, Downing Street credits Starmer’s diplomatic “reset” with Europe for influencing the French response. Ministers hope the shift in French tactics, coupled with upcoming policy changes, will significantly curb the record number of small-boat crossings.

By Aghakazim Guliyev